COLUMBIA - Horry and Georgetown members of the state House of Representatives were among the handful taking leadership positions as the House met Tuesday to organize itself for the upcoming legislative session.

Freshman Rep. Carl Anderson, D-Georgetown, was surprised by special recognition from Speaker David Wilkins for the loss of his son, Carl Anderson Jr., in battle in Iraq.

Wilkins, R-Greenville, was re-elected speaker, the presiding officer of the House and the one who directs the course of legislation by making committee assignments and shepherding favored bills.

In his remarks on being speaker for 10 years, Wilkins said both parties are united "in a desire to make South Carolina a better place."

The state had seen its share of heroes since the war on terrorism began, and "I'd like to salute one of those heroes, Airman 1st Class Carl Anderson Jr.," Wilkins said.

"He is a hero to all, and we honor your sacrifice," Wilkins said to Anderson. The members then rose and gave a round of applause to Anderson.

"It was an honor that he recognized the sacrifice that my son made for all of us," Anderson said later.

He said Wilkins learned of his son's death two weeks ago when the freshmen came to the Capitol for orientation, but he did not know the speaker was going to mention it in his speech.

Anderson, a minister, was also surprised to be elected chaplain of the Democratic Caucus. He was nominated by Rep. Vida Miller, D-Pawleys Island.

The previous Democratic chaplain did not seek re-election, and "I think Carl Anderson will keep us straight," Miller said.

Miller was re-elected deputy minority leader. Rep. Harry Ott, D-St. Matthews, was elected minority leader.

Rep. Alan Clemmons, R-Myrtle Beach, was elected secretary-treasurer of the House Republican Caucus, the third-highest post in the GOP organization.

"It gives me a place at the caucus leadership table," Clemmons said. "That's what I was hoping for, so our area would be represented at the leadership table."

The representatives get their committee assignments today and elect committee leaders.

The Republican majority also gave a "Palmetto Pledge" Tuesday in which it promised to pass five reforms and tax breaks within 90 days after the session begins.

Clemmons, who will work on most of the initiatives if he is reappointed to the Judiciary Committee, said the elements of the pledge are doable because most of them are issues the House has passed previously, but the Senate has not.

The jobs development proposal is the only new one, Clemmons said.

Wilkins said the proposal is to extend existing jobs-creation tax credits to companies that add five employees. The current threshold is 10.

The other proposals are to continue income-tax cuts, pass the governor's government restructuring proposals, expand charter schools, and reform lawsuit and malpractice laws.